Japan Launches World's First Wooden Satellite into Space
Japan Launches World's First Wooden Satellite Launchedinto Space
The Facts
The palm-sized satellite, made from hinoki magnolia wood using traditional Japanese crafting techniques without screws or glue, will orbit approximately 250 miles above Earth for a six-month testing period.
Scientists selected hinoki wood after a 10-month experiment aboard the International Space Station, noting its durability in space due to the absence of water and oxygen that typically cause decay.
The Spin
The use of wood in space technology may seem outdated, but it actually represents cutting-edge innovation that could revolutionize space colonization and reinvigorate the timber industry through new applications and markets.
